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FilmJerk Favorites

A group of unique directors and the essential works that you've got to see.

||| Stanley Kubrick |||

A filmmaker of international importance, Kubrick was one of the only directors to work within the Studio System and still have full artistic control over his films from scripting through post-production, prompting Time Magazine to compare Kubrick’s early independence with the magnitude of Orson Welles.

An uncompromising antiwar film, this gut-wrenching drama depicts a World War I officer as he labors with an ultimately futile defense for three painfully sympathetic men tried for cowardice. Kubrick artistically utilizes a beautifully washed-out black and white photography to represent the muddied boundaries of right and wrong, and the many gray areas that lay between.

A fabulous and inspiring adventure, this visually stunning epic stars Kirk Douglas as the heroic slave who fights to lead his people to freedom from Roman rule. Although a clear departure from Kubrick’s oeuvre, “Spartacus” is an all time classic helmed by a man with a precise vision who is equally capable of crafting colossal spectacle, tense tête-à-têtes, and a tender moment between lovers.

This film is so stylish it’s easy to forget it’s a horror film at heart. Considered to be the thinking man’s thriller, Kubrick molds this very particularly “Stephan King” material into the portfolio of his films about human failure, as the hero’s desperate desire to become somebody ends in frustration and tragedy.

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The Early Report for October 20, 2009: Part One

October 20th, 2009

This first section of The Early Report features the most detailed listings on the Internet of all films scheduled to be released in the upcoming four weeks, including actual and estimated screen counts, running times and ratings. This week's report covers 37 known new movies opening in theatres between Friday 10/23/09 and Friday 11/13/09, plus dozens more titles expanding their runs during this timeframe.

AntichristLogline: A grieving couple retreats to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage, but nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse
Featuring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe
Director: Lars Von Trier
Writer: Lars Von Trier
Distributor: IFC Films
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at Landmark's Kendall Square Cinemas in Cambridge MA, the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, the IFC Film Center in New York City, Landmark's Bridge Theatre in San Francisco, Landmark's E Street Cinemas in Washington DC and Landmark's Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles on October 23MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 104 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital
CREDIT ABUSE!: There are twelve producers, co-producers, line producers, executive producers and even an executive co-producer listed for this film

Astro BoyLogline: Unable to fulfill a grieving scientist's expectations, a young robot with incredible powers created in the image of the son the scientist has lost embarks on a on a journey to save his home from robot gladiators
Featuring the voices of: Kristen Bell, Nicholas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Bill Nighy, Charlize Theron
Director: David Powers
Writers: David Powers and Timothy Harris, based on the Japanese manga series created by Osamu Tezuka
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Opening Week Release Pattern: 2850 plus locations
MPAA Rating: PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language
Running Time: 94 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS

Killing KasztnerLogline: Docments the life and trial of Israel Kasztner, a Hungarian Jew who negotiated with Adolf Eichmann for the lives of thousands during the Holocaust. In English and in Hebrew with subtitles
Director: Gaylen Ross
Distributor: GR Films
Opening Week Release Pattern: Exclusive to the Cinema Village in New York City on October 23MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 129 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Stereo

MotherhoodLogline: In Manhattan, a mother of two preparing for her daughter's sixth birthday party has no idea of the challenges she's about to face in order to pull off the event
Featuring: Minnie Driver, Alice Drummond, Anthony Edwards, Clea Lewis, Uma Thurman
Director: Katherine Dieckmann
Writer: Katherine Dieckmann
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood in Berkeley, the Cobble Hill Cinemas in Brooklyn, the Burbank Town Center 8 in Burbank, Landmark's Kendall Square Cinemas in Cambridge MA, the River East 21 in Chicago, the Dedham Community Theatre in Dedham MA, the Bay Street 16 in Emeryville CA, the Framingham 16 in Framingham MA, the Kew Gardens Cinemas in Kew Gardens NY, the Lincolnshire 21 in Lincolnshire IL, the Yorktown 17 in Lombard IL, the Marketplace 6 in Long Beach CA, the Clairidge Cinemas in Montclair NJ, the Mountain View 16 in Mountain View CA, the Beekman Twin, the E-Walk 13, the 84th Street 6 and the Village VII in New York City, the Roslyn Cinemas in Roslyn NY, the South Coast Village 3 in Santa Ana, the Streets of Woodfield 20 in Schaumberg IL, the South Barrington 30 in South Barrington IL, the Majestic 6 in Stamford CT, the Cantera 30 in Warrenville IL, the Washington Township 3 in Washington Township NJ, Landmark's Regent Theatre in Westwood CA and the Cinema 100 Twin in White Plains NY on October 23MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual references and a brief drug comment
Running Time: 90 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital

Ong Bak 2Logline: A Thai fighter who travels the world to win illegal underground fighting contests finds cause to question his dangerous lifestyle when he falls for a beautiful woman. In Thai with subtitles
Featuring: Sorapong Chatree, Tony Jaa, Santisuk Promsiri, Nirut Sirijanya, Sarunyu Wongkrachang
Directora: Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai
Writer: Panna Rittikrai, based on characters created by Prachya Pinkaew, Panna Rittikrai and Suphachai Sithiamphan
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Pearlridge West 16 in Aiea HI, the Kahala 8 in Honolulu, the Village East Cinemas in New York City, Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena and Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood on October 23MPAA Rating: R for sequences of violence
Running Time: 110 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital

Expanding todayAdventures of Power: Opens at the Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills in Austin and the Tower Theatre in Sacramento
Art & Copy: Opens at the Reel Art Ways Cinema in Hartford, the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville and Landmark's Ritz at the Bourse Cinemas in Philadelphia
The Baader Meinhof Complex: Opens at the Bijou 7 in Chattanooga, Landmark's Gateway Theatre in Columbus OH, the Regent Square Theatre in Pittsburgh and the Nickelodeon Theatre in Santa Cruz
Bronson: Opens at Landmark's Ritz at the Bourse Cinemas in Philadelphia and Landmark's Ken Cinema in San Diego
The Burning Plain: Opens at the Tivoli at Manor Square Theatre in Kansas City MO and the Glenwood Arts Cinemas in Overland Park KS
Coco Before Chanel: Opens at the Tara 4 in Atlanta, the Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills in Austin, the Shadowood 16 in Boca Raton, the South Beach 18 in Miami Beach, the Fox Tower 10 in Portland OR, the Tower Theatre in Sacramento and the Camelview 5 in Scottsdale
Crude: Opens at Landmark's Varsity Theatre in Seattle and Landmark's E Street Cinemas in Washington DC
Earth Days: Opens at Landmark's Tivoli Theatre in St. Louis
An Education: Opens at Landmark's Renaissance Place Cinemas in Highland Park IL and in additional locations in select markets
Five Minutes of Heaven: Opens at Landmark's Mayan Theatre in Denver
The Horse Boy: Opens at Landmark's Lagoon Cinemas in Minneapolis and the Plaza Del Oro Cinemas in San Luis Obispo
No Impact Man: Opens at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas and the Angelika Film Center in Houston
Paranormal Activities: Expands to additional markets
Still Walking: Opens at Landmark's Midtown Art Theatre in Atlanta
Trucker: Opens at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas, the Coligny Theatre in Hilton Head Island SC, the Mos' Art Theatre in Lake Park FL and the Hollywood Theatre in Portland OR
The Way We Get By: Opens at the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg VA

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints DayLogline: When retired twin assassins learn their beloved priest has been killed by mob forces, the duo return to Boston to bring justice to those responsible
Featuring: Julie Benz, Clifton Collins Jr., Billy Connelly, Sean Patrick Flannery, Peter Fonda, Judd Nelson, Norman Reedus
Director: Troy Duffy
Writer: Troy Duffy
Distributor: Apparition
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Aliso Viejo 20 in Aliso Viejo CA, the Bellingham 14 in Bellingham MA, the Neshaminy 24 in Bensalem PA, the Boston Commons 19 in Boston MA, the Brea 22 in Brea CA, the Bridgeport 12 in Bridgeport CT, the Bay Plaza 13 and the Whitestone 14 in Bronx NY, the Court Street 12 and the Sheepshead Bay 14 in Brooklyn NY, the Burbank 16 in Burbank CA, the Burlington 20 in Burlington NJ, Landmark's Kendall Square Cinemas in Cambridge MA, the Winnetka 21 in Chatsworth CA, the Cherry Hill 24 in Cherry Hill NJ, the Chino Hills 18 in Chino Hills CA, the Clifton Commons 16 in Clifton NJ, the Commack 15 in Commack NY, the Covina 30 in Covina CA, the Liberty Tree Mall 20 in Danvers MA, the Edgewater 16 in Edgewater NJ, the Jersey Gardens 20 in Elizabeth NJ, the Greenburgh 10 in Elmsford NY, the Farmingdale 10 in Farmingdale NY, the Midway 9 in Forest Hills NY, the Patriot Palce 14 in Foxboro MA, the Framingham 15 in Framingham MA, the Fullerton 20 in Fullerton CA, the Roosevelt Field 8 in Garden City NY, the Palace 17 in Hartford CT, the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, the Island 16 in Holtsville NY, the Irvine Spectrum 21 in Irvine CA, the Lakewood Center 16 in Lakewood CA, the Lincoln Mall 16 in Lincoln RI, the Long Beach 26 in Long Beach CA, the Magic Johnson 15 in Los Angeles, the Buckland Hills 16 in Manchester CT, the Solomon Pond Mall 15 in Marlborough MA, the Conneticut Post 14 in Milford CT, the New Brunswick 18 in New Brunswick NJ, the New Roc City 18 in New Rochelle NY, the 84th Street 6, the Empire 25 and the Union Square 14 in New York City, the North Attleborough Cinemas in North Attleborough MA, the North Haven Cinemas in North Haven CT, the Norwalk 20 in Norwalk CA, the Ontario Palace 22 in Ontario CA, the Block 30 and the Orange 25 in Orange CA, the Garden State 16 in Paramus NJ, the Riverview Plaza 17 in Philadelphia, the Plainville 20 in Plainville CT, the Providence Place 16 in Providence RI, the Randolph 16 in Randolph MA, the Redlands 14 in Redlands CA, the Revere 20 in Revere MA, the Staten Island 16 in Staten Island NY, the Stony Brook 17 in Stony Brook NY, the Citywalk 19 in Universal City CA, the Valley Stream 14 in Valley Stream NY, the Warrington Crossing 22 in Warrington PA, the Warwick 15 in Warwick RI, the Palisades Center 21 in West Nyack NY, the City Center 15 in White Plains NY and the Woburn 14 in Woburn MA on October 30MPAA Rating: R for bloody violence, language and some nudity
Running Time: 87 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital

The House Of The DevilLogline: A babysitter realizes her new cliets plan to use her in a satanic ritual
Featuring: AJ Bowen, Jocelin Donahue, Greta Gerwig, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov
Director: Ti West
Writer: Ti West
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar Theatre in Austin and the Village East Cinemas in New York City on October 30MPAA Rating: R for some bloody violence
Running Time: 95 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital

Expanding todayAntichrist: Opens at Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, the South Coast Village Cinemas in Costa Mesa CA, Landmark's Ritz at the Bourse Cinemas in Philadelphia and Landmark's Tivoli Theatre in St. Louis
The Baader Meinhof Complex: Opens at the Carolina Theatre in Asheville NC
The Beaches of Agnes: Opens at Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley
Beeswax: Opens at the George Eastman House in Rochester NY and the Northwest Film Forum in Seattle
Bronson: Opens at Landmark's Mayan Theatre in Denver
Coco Before Chanel: Opens at the Albuquerque 14 in Albuquerque, the Lyric Cinema Cafe in Fort Collins CO, the Jupiter 18 in Jupiter FL, the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville and the DeVargas Center 6 in Santa Fe
Crude: Opens at the Museum of Fine Arts Theatre in Boston, the Angelika Film Center in Dallas and the Angelika Film Center in Houston
Earth Days: Opens at the Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills in Austin, the Bijou at the Crossroads Cinemas in San Antonio and in Seattle
The Horse Boy: Opens at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore and the Circle Theatre in Tulsa OK
No Impact Man: Opens at Landmark's Midtown Art Theatre in Atlanta and Landmark's Dobie Theatre in Austin
Paris: Opens at the Newburyport Screening Room in Newburyport MA
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman: Opens at the Starz Film Center in Denver
Walt & El Grupo: Opens at the Metreon 16 in San Francisco
White on Rice: Opens at Dole Cannery 18 in Honolulu

Endgame
Logline: Members of the white-led Afrikaaner government of South Africa negotiate with their fiercest enemies from the African National Congress over the future of the country in the waning days of Apartheid
Featuring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, William Hurt, Derek Jacobi, Johnny Lee Miller, Mark Strong
Director: Pete Travis
Writer: Paula Milne
Distributor: Monterey Media
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Apple Valley 15 in Apple Valley MN, the Asheville 10 in Asheville NC, the Royal Palm 20 in Bradenton FL, the Chapel Hill 15 in Colorado Springs, the Wynnsong 15 in Durham NC, the Oakwood Mall 12 in Eau Clair WI, the Fort Smith 15 in Fort Smith AR, the Hippodrome Cinema in Gainesville FL, the Greenville 12 in Greenville NC, the Hickory 14 in Hickory NC, the Kennewick 12 in Kennewick WA, the Minot 9 in Minot ND, the Wynnsong 15 in Moundsview MN, the Broadway 16 in Myrtle Beach SC, the Quad Cinema in New York City, the Panama City 10 in Panama City FL, the Horizon 10 in Traverse City MI, the Wilmington 16 in Wilmington NC and the Wynnsong 12 in Winston-Salem NC on November 6MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence/disturbing images and some strong language
Running Time: 109 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital

The Fourth KindLogline: A therapist tries to help a group of people in a remote Alaskan town which has seen more than its fair share of unexplained disappearances over the previous forty years
Featuring: Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton
Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Writers: Olatunde Osunsanmi, story by Olatunde Osunsanmi & Terry Lee Robbins
Distributor: Universal Studios
Opening Week Release Pattern: 2650 plus locations on November 6MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violent and disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements and brief sexuality
Running Time: Not yet set
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS

The Men Who Stare at GoatsLogline: A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's First Earth Battalion, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions
Featuring: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey
Director: Grant Heslov
Writer: Peter Straughan, inspired by the book by Jon Ronson
Distributor: Overture Films
Opening Week Release Pattern: Major markets on November 6MPAA Rating: R for language, some drug content and brief nudity
Running Time: 90 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby DIgital, DTS, SDDS

That Evening SunLogline: An aging Tennessee farmer returns to his homestead and must confront a family betrayal, the reappearance of an old enemy, and the loss of his farm
Featuring: Dixie Carter, Barry Corbin, Walton Goggins, Hal Holbrook, Ray McKinnon, Carrie Preston, Mia Wasikowska
Director: Scott Teems
Writer: Scott Teems, based on the short story "I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down" by William Gay
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Opening Week Release Pattern: Select markets on November 6MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some violence, sexual content and thematic elements
Running Time: 110 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic (2.39:1)
Sound Format: Dolby Digital
CREDIT ABUSE!: There are eleven producers, co-producers, line producers, associate producers and executive producers listed for this film, including one person receiving credit as line producer and co-producer

Expanding todayAdventures of Power: Opens at the DeVargas Mall 6 in Santa Fe
Antichrist: Opens at Landmark's Midtown Art Theatre in Atlanta, Landmark's Mayan Theatre in Denver, Landmark's Lagoon Cinemas in Minneapolis and Landmark's Ken Cinema in San Diego
Araya: Opens at Landmark's Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles
Art & Copy: Opens at the Roxie Theatre in San Francisco
The Baader Meinhof Complex: Opens at the State Theatre in State College PA
The Burning Plain: Opens at the Fountain Theatre in Mesilla NM and the Crest Theatre in Sacramento
Coco Before Chanel: Opens at the Fireweed 7 in Anchorage, the Cine in Athens GA, the Charles 5 in Baltimore, the Pilot Butte 6 in Bend OR, the Boulder 16 in Boulder CO, the Delray 18 in Delray Beach FL, Landmark's Main Art Theatre in Detroit, the Gainesville 14 in Gainesville FL, the Kahala 8 in Honolulu, the Beach Blvd. 12 in Jacksonville, the Downtown West 8 in Knoxville, the Suncoast 16 in Las Vegas, Landmark's Oriental 3 in Milwaukee, the Nickelodeon 5 in North Falmouth MA, the Quail Springs 24 in Oklahoma City, the Riverside 12 in Reno, the Westhamption Twin in Richmond VA, the Broadway Centre 6 in Salt Lake City, the Fiesta 16 in San Antonio, Landmark's Plaza Frontenac Cinemas in St. Louis and the Miracle 5 in Tallahassee
Earth Days: Opens at Landmark's Midtown Art Theatre in Atlanta
Five Minutes of Heaven: Opens at Landmark's Tivoli Theatre in St. Louis
The Horse Boy: Opens at Landmark's Kendall Square Cinemas in Cambridge MA, the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and Landmark's Varsity Theatre in Seattle
Rashomon: Opens at the Bijou Movie Theatre in Iowa City
(Untitled): Opens at the Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills in Austin, Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, Landmark's Magnolia Theatre in Dallas, the Osio Cinemas in Monterey, Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas in San Diego, Landmark's Embarcadero Center Cinemas in San Francisco, the Fiesta 5 in Santa Barbara, the Nickelodeon Cinemas in Santa Cruz, the Rialto Cinemas Lakeside in Santa Rosa, Landmark's Seven Gables Theatre in Seattle and Landmark's E Street Cinemas in Washington DC
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman: Opens at Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, Landamrk's E Street Cinemas in Washington DC and in San Francisco
The Way We Get By: Opens at the UICA Theatre in Grand Rapids MI

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Four Seasons LodgeLogline: Documents the final season for a community of Holocaust survivors who come together each summer to celebrate their lives
Director: Andrew Jacobs
Distributor: First Run Features
Opening Week Release Pattern: Exclusive to the Film Forum in New York City on November 11MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 97 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Stereo

Friday, November 13, 2009

Defamation
Logline: Documents the efforts of a controversial author to discover the realities of anti-Semitism today. In English and in Hebrew with subtitles
Director: Yoav Shamir
Distributor: First Run Features
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Cinema Village in New York City and the Roxie Film Center in San Francisco on November 20MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 91 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.78:1)
Sound Format: Dolby SR

Ten9EightLogline: Documents the stories of several inner city teens from Harlem to Compton and all points in between, as they compete in an annual business plan competition run by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Director: Mary Mazzio
Distributor: 50 Eggs Films/ BET Films
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Phipps Plaza 14 in Atlanta, the Boston Common 19 in Boston, the River East 21 and the Ford City 14 in Chicago, the Magic Johnson 9 in Harlem, the Mainstreet 6 and the Ward Parkway 14 in Kansas City MO, the Capital Centre 12 in Largo MD, the Stonecrest 16 in Lithonia GA, the Magic Johnson 15 in Los Angeles, the Mall of the Americas 14 in Miami, the Lincoln Square 13 in New York City, the Broadway 4 in Santa Monica, the Sunset Place 24 in South Miami and the Georgetown 14 in Washington DC on November 13MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 85 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Stereo

William Kunstler: Disturbing the UniverseLogline: Documents the life of the radical 1960s lawyer, famous for fighting for civil rights alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and representing the Chicago Seven
Director: Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler
Distributor: Arthouse Films
Opening Week Release Pattern: Opens at the Cinema Village in New York City and in Boston on November 13MPAA Rating: Not rated by the MPAA
Running Time: 85 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Sound Format: Stereo

Expanding todayAntichrist: Opens at Landmark's Main Art Theatre in Detroit
Coco Before Chanel: Opens at the Flicks 4 in Boise, the Manor Twin in Charlotte, the Gateway 3 in Columbus OH, the Coconut Point 16 in Estero FL, the Fiesta Square 16 in Fayetteville, Landmark's Keystone Art Theatre in Indianapolis, the Elmwood Palace 20 in Harahan LA, the Tivoli at Manor Square 3 in Kansas City MO, the Studio 30 in Olathe KS, the Oakview 24 in Omaha, the Westgate Mall 8 in Spartanburg SC, the River Park Square 20 in Spokane, the Burns Court Cinema in Sarasota, the City Center 13 in Vancouver WA and the Indian River 24 in Vero Beach
Crude: Opens at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore, the Cinema 21 in Portland OR and in Minneapolis
Five Minutes of Heaven: Opens at Landmark's Midtown Art Theatre in Atlanta
The Horse Boy: Opens at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas in San Diego
Paris: Opens at the Museum of Modern Art Theatre in Fort Worth and the Putnam Screening Room in Keene NH
Rashomon: Opens at Landmark's E Street Cinemas in Washington DC
Splinterheads: Opens at the Arbor Cinemas at Great Hills in Austin and the Fox Tower 10 in Portland OR